Hardcore Mortal Kombat arcade fans will finally get their long awaited wish granted this year as Sony Online Entertainment announced today that it has struck a licensing deal with Midway to develop and release six classic arcade games, including the franchise gem Mortal Kombat II, on the PLAYSTATION Network, the downloadable game service for Sony's PLAYSTATION 3. In addition to Mortal Kombat II, Gauntlet II, Joust, Rampage World Tour, Rampart and Championship Sprint were chosen to make an appearance on the PLAYSTATION Network specifically for their multiplayer capabilities. The first of the six titles will be released for download on the PLAYSTATION Network in early 2007.

"We knew these titles would be a perfect fit for the PLAYSTATION Network, and based on Sony Online Entertainment's legacy in the online space as well as their intimate knowledge of the PLAYSTATION Network, it was an obvious decision they would be a top company to work with to bring this project to fruition," said Steve Allison, chief marketing officer, Midway.

It is an absolute certainty that all of these titles will feature online multiplayer. Given the technical success of Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 on Microsoft's Xbox Live Arcade service, an online multiplayer version of Mortal Kombat II is truly a momentous occasion for classic arcade Mortal Kombat fans.

That's certainly good news, but I'm a bit suspect about the online play... the inclusion of it that is. We'll wait and see. All we need now is MK1 to make things complete. EDIT: Perhaps I should read the press releases first and then comment I'm hyped up now for sure. Time to fish for a 20GB PS3; between this and Tekken 5 DR, the PS Network downloads are looking very promising now.

Aw man...I was hoping for this to be on Xbox Live Arcade...I'm not really considering buying a PS3 anymore all things considered...